Progress Report

This past month and a half has held many changes for my 2 children.  These are good changes!  Some of the changes have been direct answers to my prayers.  It is such a thrill for me to see answered prayer!  I don't think it ever ceases to excite me :)  I serve an amazing God!

Here is Ethan's Progress Report:

Good Bye Pacifier!--(Ethan, I hope I haven't scarred you for life!  Yes, I waited until a month after 2 years to make this change.  This change was suppose to be done before you turned 2, but...well...  Alright the truth is...  The truth is that it kept you content, and gave me a crutch to fall back on.  But, the Lord is working on my heart to not keep "crutches" around just because it makes life easier.)

No more DVD's--This is temporary, not permanent.  We started this 2 weeks ago.  I found that Ethan is so much happier when he is not always thinking about or wanting to watch one of his videos.  I have some good, learning DVD's, but it was time for a change.  The TV and player were put away in a closet.   I never want Ethan to make watching movies an important part of his life.  If he is whining about watching something, then it is just on his mind too much!  I really want to instill a love for reading in him.  I can't say I spend hours reading to him every day.  But, both Jon and I do read or go through picture books with him every day.  It is wonderful to see him occupying himself with a book.  I've even caught him loudly expressing a book in his own language to Madison.  She seems to understand him better than I do at times!

Hello, Bed Time!--It wasn't too long ago that bed time seemed to be a big discipline issue.  Well, this is one of my answers to prayer.  Ethan is doing so much better!!!  I'm learning that God can take away my frustration and overwhelming inadequacy as a mother when I go to Him in prayer.  He can give wisdom, grace, and strength to get through these "bumps" in the road.  Relying on Him is so much easier than relying on my own determination to get through the problem.  That is sin.  Many times my flesh tries to solve problems on my own, and I wonder why all my efforts have failed.   Maybe that is why God has to bring me to a place where I KNOW that I can not change my child's attitude.  God is just waiting to show me that He CAN do it! 

Big Helper to the Rescue--

Don't worry.  I'll make sure your face is clean!

One of Ethan's gifts is helping.  Since he was fairly young he has been in "tune" with seeing needs and coming to the rescue.  As soon as he could crawl he would move as fast as he could to help me pick up whatever I had dropped.  Jon and I have noticed how observant Ethan is when he wants to be.  Even with his own sissy he tends to take care of her by seeing her needs.  If her food or cup falls to the floor he is right there helping her with it!  As Ethan grows older, and my pregnancy gets a little harder I am so thankful for the help with small house hold tasks!  I try to always give high praise for all that he does.  I want to nurture that observant, helping spirit.

Madison's Progress Report:

Eating with a Big Appetite--

Eating Ethan's leftovers!

Madison has lost a lot of her baby chubbiness.  She really has never been a big eater like Ethan, and is usually more picky with her food.  However, that has changed!  She must be going through another growth spurt right now.  She is gobbling up almost everything we put in front of her.  Wow!  I've never seen her eat like this :)  She is really good at finding Ethan's leftovers after the meal.  She snatches them off the table.  Next thing I know there she is stuffing more food in her mouth as fast as she can!  There is humor in everything.  When I see my little girl, and my kitchen floor that has another mess all over it I just have to find the humor in it.  After all, I should have gotten that plate cleared off the table before I set her on the floor.

Learning to Walk--She is getting really good at walking.  She still holds on to a walker, but is getting so steady on her feet!  Yesterday she took 3 or 4 steps just holding on to my hand with one of hers.  She gets very excited about her walking skills!  Her face just looks so happy and proud of her achievement.  I love it!

Learning to Share--Just recently Madison has started to come to the reality that she can not have everything her big brother plays with!  She just wants everything he has :)  She watches Ethan all the time, and is very fast when it comes to swiping a toy away from him!  There is something about the twinkle in her eye that makes me want to laugh when she does this.  But, since I am trying to train her to share I refrain from the laughing.  Sometimes that can be really hard!

Curls--Madison is going to have curls!  Here is a pic. of what she looks like after bath time when her hair is all wet.

Pregnancy Update

This pregnancy has been hard.  I'm going to see a cardiologist (they specialize in veins) in the next couple weeks.  Jon and I are really praying that I'll be able to get some help with my vein problem which has become extremely painful.  The swelling from my waste down is an issue, also.  Most days I'm limping around barely able to put weight on my left ankle because of the broken blood vessels.  There may be a time when I'll have to be on more of a constant bed rest schedule with my feet above my heart.  But, I already try to do that a lot.  Because I am at risk for blood clots, it is even more important that I get this vein issue taken care of.  (I take heparin shots during pregnancy.)  I've let it go way too long, and I know my OB/GYN doctor is concerned. 

I do appreciate your prayers.  Being at home all the time, and missing so much church is hard, but it will probably be that way until the end of the pregnancy unless something changes with this upcoming appointment.  I end up being on my feet way too much when I go places, and the next day it is hard to even move.  With two little one's I've to be able to use the time on my feet taking care of them. 

On the bright side I am remembering to pray for others with physical battles right now!  The Lord is teaching me dependence on Him.  I try to listen to sermon messages throughout the day.  I have claimed Prov. 3:5 and 6 for this pregnancy.  God is good all the time!  I've seen His grace through days when I really didn't know how I would keep going with the pain.  There has been discouragement and times when I just want to move near family that can be there to help.  However, when I look to the Lord He gives a sweet peace to me that He is in control, and that the promises from His Word are there to claim.

Thanks for those of you who are praying.  I am asking God to use this time of hardship for His glory. 

Amber

Bedroom/Playroom

I reorganized Ethan's room.  All the toys (except for living room toys) and books are now in his room.  Madison's room is almost always clean now!  It is so nice to look in her room and see it clean and picked up!  For right now it works well to have one room designated as the play room.    As my health allows I am trying to make some changes in our house so that I am prepared for this next baby!  Jon and I still haven't made up our minds what the sleeping arrangements are going to be when this third baby comes.  Eventually, I want both girls in the same room.  I think I might wait until my infant is sleeping really well through the night before I do that!   

A Change of Heart

Recently I listened to a message on the radio about loving others and loving the unlovely.  It really hit home.  The Pastor said something to the effect of:  It is people that are least deserving of God's love that need it shown to them the most.  I was so rebuked!  My selfish sin nature has thought at times, "Why do we keep ministering to people in our church when there is no change (that I can see) in their lives or their welfare mentality?"  What a rotten heart I have!  I was so rebuked by the sermon I heard that I immediately had to ask for God's forgiveness.  I also had to share with my husband when he got home.  I needed his forgiveness, too.   I told him about the message I heard and how I've had a wrong heart attitude.  After all, God's Word will never return void to anyone who hears it.  And God has not asked us to just minister to people who have "likable" personalities.  Loving the unlovely is definitely dying to self and saying "no" to the flesh!  After that message my heart had turned to thankfulness that my husband and our church had an outreach to those people!  I praise the Lord for showing me my unloving heart, and replacing it with love and thankfulness.  Isn't it wonderful that God loves me despite all my sin and failures?!

Country Boy and Trendy Girl

Ethan looks like a little farmer in his overalls from grandma.   I must have a little bit of "country" in me because I LOVE it :)  

Madison is sporting the new headband I made for her.  Let me know what you think of it!  I wasn't too sure about it at first because it was an accidental creation!  I ended up putting a ribbon through it, and thought it looked kind of cute and trendy.  I'm also, using it as an ear warmer for her.  It is made out of cotton.

Using headband as an ear warmer!

These are the matching slippers I made!

Squishing the ball through the fence in order to throw it!

I'm an outside kind-of boy!

Can't you just picture a shopping cart instead of the walker?!

I think I'm tired of walking now!

Madison Eating a Noodle

Madison enjoys noodles!  Sometimes it just takes a little time to get a slippery noodle into her mouth :)

One and Two Year Appointments

On January 7th my kids had their one and two year doctors appointments.  Madison had 3 shots and Ethan had 2 shots.  We stayed in the tiny waiting room for two hours!  That is a VERY long time for my kids :)  Madison had to be tested for RSV since her lungs were sounding very congested.  Thankfully it came back negative!  She is suppose to start on baby Zyrtec to help her with all of the crazy allergies she seemed to acquire from me :(   She pulls on her ears a lot, has watery eyes, and red rings around the eyes from the allergies.  Hopefully, the Zyrtec will help her.  My mothers heart hates to see her have to deal with that.  The good news is that the Zyrtec should also help her with the eczema on her legs!  Both of my kids have struggled with eczema, but Ethan has grown out of it for the most part.

Ethan had his shots first.  He cried, but quickly got over it.  And then came Madison's turn....  Poor girl!  I had to hold her down on the table.  I would have gladly taken 20 shots to not have her go through that.  The look in her eyes said it all.  She just looked so sad and confused.  I am so glad that is over!

Madison is 21 lbs.  She is in the 90% in length and in the 70% in weight!  She hardly gained any weight from her last appointment and seems to be really stretching out and losing her baby chubbiness.  My amazing eater, Ethan, has gone down to the 50% mark in height and is still at the 90% in weight!  The doctor says not to even be concerned about it because he will be going through his 2 year old growth spurt soon, and his weight isn't an issue at 2. 

After the appointment my whole family went out to eat.  It was Madison's birthday and my anniversary.--What a day!

Playing with Daddy while waiting for the doctor!

Madison and Mommy

It is just so hard to get a good pic. of all of us!--Jon tried.

A Space to Call My Own!

 

I'm not sure if I've vocalized my LOVE for doing crafts, but I do LOVE to learn and do about any kind of craft!  Growing up I started a lot of projects and never finished them.  That still happens, but now that I have kids I don't even attempt long, time-consuming projects.  I try to keep them small and fast.  This is part of the reason I do not do scrap booking any more.  I mean who ever keeps up with their scrap booking anyway?!  Most of what I do now and want to do now is for my kids or for a gift for someone else.

I don't have much time to do crafts, and I know I will probably have no time at all when this next baby comes!  But, for the first time I have a little space to keep all my crafts easily accessible.  I have my WONDERFUL husband to thank for this!  It was his Christmas present to me :)  If you know me than you know that there is nothing I would rather get than something to help organize my life!  Yes, I would rather have tools to organize than shoes, clothes, and even chocolate!  What can I say, organization just makes me extremely happy!  It is actually relaxing and fun for me at night to take drawers and sit in bed and organize them.--Strange, I know!

Well, I am so thankful for a bedroom that is large enough to give me this craft nook!  I am also thankful for a husband that appreciates the things I make.  It is wonderful to not have my crafts stuck in one of the kids closets where I can never get to them :)  Having this little place of my own gives me such joy.  I am ready for this next baby to come now!  Who cares if the kids things take up the rest of the house?!  I have a space to call my own!

Crocheted Slippers

I haven't really kept up with taking pictures of all the things I've crocheted.  But, I just had to post pictures of these Mary Jane slippers.  This was a fun pattern meant for a newborn.  I made it a little larger to fit Madison's feet.  I love it!  I'll be making some more of these in the future.  I was suppose to use 100% cotton yarn.  Instead I used acrylic because that is what I had.  I'm definitely going to get some cotton yarn when I have a chance.  Since Madison is starting to walk the acrylic will get fuzzy, but the cotton will not.  I'm excited about making a new born pair of these for a friend that is expecting any day now.  Crocheting is the perfect thing for me to do since I have to keep my feet elevated through this pregnancy!  Praise the Lord!  It is neat to see how the Lord blesses through the trials :)  Here are some pics. I took of the slippers.  I also took some quick pics. of Madison modeling them!  She makes them look even cuter :)

To my Madison at One Year Old

Dear little sweetheart,

God has blessed us with you!

Since the moment you came into my life I knew that I was going to be changed forever!  I felt like you were just a little doll to be dressed, held, and admired.  I started crocheting again because I wanted you to have lots of cute beanies to wear.  I learned to make hair bows so that I could accessorize your every outfit.  I even started making jewelry again, so that you could have some baby bracelets :)  I LOVE having a daughter!   I look forward to all the years I can do girlie things with you.  I am also very excited to teach you to clean, bake, cook, sew, crochet, do crafts, and have a love for being a little homemaker.  I had a mother that did that, and I have used it so much and always been so thankful for it.--By the way, your husband will really appreciate it some day, too!

You are now a 1 year old.  You are a little sunbeam in my life.    You have a happy, go-lucky personality.  On hard days your daddy and I can't help but smile because you are always giving us great big grins.  Even as a baby you have been such an encouragement through the day.  When you laugh I laugh.  You are such a tease to your brother.  Sometimes he likes it, and sometimes he could do without it :)  Those big eyes of yours just seem to smile out at the world.  When you smile your whole face smiles.--I LOVE that!

Your sweetness and love for cuddling stole our hearts right from the beginning.  There is just something so endearing about how you always come and lay your head down on us as if to say, "I love you Mommy and Daddy."  You started sucking your thumb as an infant.  It is still so sweet to see how you immediately stop crying when that thumb goes in your mouth!

We just recently found out that you are going to have a little sister!  Now you will be a big sister and no longer the baby of the family.  I want you to know that you will always have a special place in our hearts.  We are so thankful for you!  We pray that you will grow up and use your sweet personality to serve the Lord.

From Mommy with Daddy's love, too!

To the man of my heart: 5 Wonderful Years

To Jon:

You are the love of my life!  You are my best friend.--I would rather spend time with you than anyone else in the world!  When I married you 5 years ago I had no idea the hardships that we would have to face at such an early age.  Some of these were miscarriages, health problems,  specialist appointments, emergency visits, and much more.  Yet, looking back I can see how God used the trials to help us keep trusting Him and growing in Him.

Now 5 years later we have been blessed with two beautiful, fun children and are expecting our third child in 4 months.  You have supported me, and taken care of me.  You have encouraged and prayed for me.  You have been there for me and helped me through my physical pain. You can always find a way to make me laugh! You have been a wonderful father to our kids.  On the days that I struggle so much physically you take all the responsibility for the children and tell me to go put my feet up.  You read to your children, play with them, tease them, give them baths, and teach them about the Lord.  You are kind, funny, caring, serving, faithful, and one of the hardest working men I've ever known.  And when hardships are thrown our way, you keep a positive attitude.  I see Jesus in you.  You are the man I am thankful for and proud to call my husband!  I cherish you, and thank the Lord for you.  I loved you on our wedding day and I love you even more now.   I am so blessed to be celebrating my 5th Anniversary with you!  God has been so good to me.

Much Love,
Your wife,
Amber

Playing and Eating: December 2010

Pushing the "go" button!

Wait for me!

Big bro. taking good care of sissy.

Getting the diaper open.

Putting the diaper on.

Diaper cream, diaper, and socks--What a good helper!

Sneaking around with a chunk of dried bread from the trash!

Looking a little guilty!

Is it possible to share the phone?

Buddies most of the time!